USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Northfield > History of the town of Northfield, Massachusetts : for 150 years, with an account of the prior occupation of the territory by the Squakheags : and with family genealogies > Part 8
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' Letter of John Stebbins.
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the meadows. An old writer says, " this meadow grass was very rank ; if let alone it grew up to a man's face."
Rev. Mr. Hubbard states that the early settlers had "a meeting house." It is a well authenticated tradition that Elder Janes preached during the first summer under a spreading oak, which stood at the south end of the street (in front of the present house of John Wright). This venerable tree - hallowed by sacred associations with the Sabbath worship of the pioneers of the town- a witness of the varied life of the F.nglish for six generations - probably the witness of the change- ful life of the Indians for other generations - for it must have been a grown tree in 1673 - is still preserved with jealous care - Oh ! no-it was burned down, through boyish carelessness and neighborly indifference, July 5, 1869.
The home-lots of the settlers were of equal size, without regard to the owner's pecuniary ability. The rule adopted for the division of the meadows is not clearly stated, but is believed to have been according to the amount of purchase money each man put into the common stock. This represented his share in the adventure, and was the basis of taxation, and, rightfully, of land apportionment. Great meadow was partitioned off into 3 parts, and Pauchaug into 2 parts ; and each settler received a lot in each of the several parts. The main divisions as well as the individual lots lay at right angles to the river; and a road ran north and south across every man's lot near the centre. This apparently minute subdivision was intended to secure greater equality. If in either meadow one portion was of poorer soil, or the fences more exposed to freshets, no one was likely to get all his land in these undesirable spots. One or two of his lots was cer- tain to be of the best or of average quality. Great meadow, as laid out, was estimated at 385 acres ; Pauchaug was estimated at 130 acres.
The crops first planted were flax, indian corn and wheat. Mrs. Rowlandson, who was brought a captive hither, in the March succeed- ing the destruction of the village, says in her Narrative : "we came to Squauheag, where the Indians quickly spread themselves over the deserted English fields, gleaning what they could find ; some picked up ears of wheat that were crinckled down, some found ears of indian corn, others sheaves of wheat that were frozen together in the shock, and went to threshing of them out. Myself got two ears of indian corn, and whilst I did but turn my back, one of them was stolen from me, which much troubled me : A solemn sight methought it was, to see whole fields of wheat and corn forsaken and spoiled, and the remainder `of them to be food for our merciless enemies ! That night we had a mess of wheat for our supper."
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Squakbeag.
The settlers had a good store of cattle. For it is stated that when Major Treat brought off the inhabitants, after Beers's defeat, he "left the cattle," many of which were killed by the Indians, and seventeen of the remainder followed the retreating company, "of their own accord, and reached Hadley in safety." They had also a consider- able flock of sheep. Wool and flax were the materials necessary for winter and summer clothing ; of which every new settlement was expected to furnish its own supply.
It is difficult to determine the precise number of inhabitants in the aggregate, that made a lodgement here - and constituted the home- life of the little village, during the brief period of its continuance. Probably there was coming and going : some of the older children of a family did not remove hither with the parents ; and such infants as were born here were recorded with the rest at the old home in Northampton. The following sketch of the several families will afford a basis for a tolerably correct estimate.
RALPH HUTCHINSON. He was from Boston : was early at North- ampton, whence he came to Squakheag. His wife was Alice, widow of Francis Bennett of Boston. They had four young children.
WILLIAM JANES. He came from England in 1637; was a first settler at New Haven ; was at Northampton as early as 1656; a teacher at both places. He was an earnest forwarder of the new plantation, came hither with the first company, and became both teacher and preacher. His second wife was Hannah, daughter of Thomas Bascom Sen., and widow of John Broughton. They had four children, the youngest less than a year old, and probably four or five of the children of the first wife came with the parents.
JAMES BENNETT. He was a son of Mrs. Ralph Hutchinson by her first husband. In the spring of 1675 he married Mary Brough- ton, daughter of Mrs. William Janes by her first husband. He was killed at the Falls fight, May 19, 1676. Being connected with the Hutchinson and Janes families, and perhaps one of the first explorers of the territory, it is not unlikely that Bennett's meadow received its name from him.
THOMAS BASCOM. His father, Thomas Sen., was of Dorchester 1633, Windsor 1640, Northampton 1661. His sister married William Janes. He married Mary Newell of Farmington. They had certainly two children when they came to Squakheag, and pro- bably one born here.
ROBERT LYMAN. He was son of Richard of Windsor. He married at Northampton in 1662, Hepzibah Bascom, sister of Thomas Jun. They had three or four children, and one born 1674.
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History of Northfield.
GEORGE ALEXANDER. He was early at Windsor, then at North- ampton. He was of the first party that went up the river to Squak- heag, and did much to promote the settlement of the place. His wife was Susanna : and perhaps two of the younger children (then grown up) were with him here.
JOHN ALEXANDER. He was the oldest son of George, born, July 25, 1645 ; married Nov. 28, 1671 Sarah Gaylord. Their first child was born Jan. 24, 1673.
THOMAS WEBSTER. He was son of John Webster, governor of Connecticut ; settled first in Hadley. His wife was Abigail daughter of George Alexander. They had three young children.
MICAH MUDGE. He was son of Jarvis of Wethersfield ; was at Northampton, 1670, in which year, he married Mary daughter of George Alexander. They had one child, and another born here. He was a first explorer, and a prominent man in the new settlement.
SAMUEL WRIGHT. He was son of Dea. Samuel of Springfield, and Northampton. He married Nov. 24, 1653, Elizabeth Burt. They had seven children, and among them were Benjamin and Elie- zur, afterwards noted in Northfield history. He was sergeant in command of the soldiers, and was killed by the Indians in the first attack on the town, Sept. 2, 1675. A posthumous child, born ten days after the father's death, was named Benoni.
CORNELIUS MERRY. He was a native of Ireland ; was at North- ampton 1663 ; married Mary Ballard ; had four children, and one born here.
WILLIAM MILLER. He was at Ipswich 1648 ; was a first settler at Northampton ; a tanner by trade. His wife was Patience ; they had eight children, the youngest born Jan. 20, 1672. Mrs. M. was a skilful physician and surgeon, and was the only doctor at N. during the first two settlements.
THOS. ROOT, JUN. His father Thomas was at Salem, 1637, at Hartford 1639, at Northampton 1658. At Northampton Thomas Jun. married Abigail daughter of Alexander Alvard, a first petitioner for Northfield. They had three children.
JOHN HILLIARD or HILYER. He was son of John of Windsor. He married Anne Baxter. They had two young children.
WILLIAM SMEAD. He was of Northampton ; married Elizabeth Lawrence daughter of Thomas of Dorchester. They had five child- ren, and one born here.
JOSEPH DICKINSON. His father Nathaniel was of Wethersfield and Hadley. He (Joseph) settled first at Northampton ; wife Phebe.
Squakheag. 69
They had four children, and one born at Northfield. He was a first settler here and was killed with Capt. Beers, Sept. 4, 1675.
JOSEPH PARSONS SEN. Was in Springfield as early as 1636 ; re- moved to Northampton 1654. He was a first explorer of Squak- heag, and the agent for purchasing the lands of the Indians, as previously narrated. Hereceived grants of a home-lot and other lands, and bore his share of the charges of this First Settlement, but appears not to have removed here in person. In 1683, he had a grant of 90 acres of meadow, which required him to settle 3 inhabitants. Per- haps his son Joseph Jr. occupied one right. He died at Springfield Oct. 9, 1683, and his heirs held his lands at Northfield for many years.
It thus appears that the Hutchinson, Janes, Bascom, Bennett and Lyman families were connected by marriage ; as were also the Alex- anders, Webster, and Mudge families ; and that all but Thomas Webster removed hither from Northampton. The fact is also appa- rent that the majority of the parents were in the prime of life, and most of them with families of little children. This adds a peculiar in- terest and shading of anxiety to our search into their history. Know- ing the inner structure of the several households, it is not difficult for us to picture to ourselves the leading features of the somewhat iso- lated life they led. There was much of social equality, and mutual regard. If one individual or household suffered, all felt the pain ; if one was glad, all shared in the joy. Their lot was that of hard and protracted toil ; but their trust in God and hope of a better future inspired and supported them. And they must have been fairly pro- sperous. For at the opening of the third season after breaking ground, we find them able to repay the purchase money for the tract compris- ing Bennett's meadow and the uplands adjoining, which was bought for them in 1673 by Joseph Parsons and William Clarke. But a dark cloud appeared suddenly upon their horizon !
The Indians throughout the valley continued on friendly terms with the whites till the spring of 1675. They had been accustomed to set their wigwams on the commons, and sometimes on the home- lots. They had bartered and begged, as the case might be. When they could get rum or flip, they would drink to excess, and became quarrelsome ; but when sober, would submit to the common legal penalties. Usually they were peaceably inclined. In some of the settlements they liked to take land of the English to plant on shares, the stipulation being that the whites should plow the same, the In- dians finding the seed and returning half the crop.
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The two races were separate; and the line of separation was becoming more and more apparent. There were mutual jealousies and distrust ; but as little of friction as it is reasonable to expect when civilized and savage life come in contact.
The first signs of a change of feeling and purpose on the part of the Indians, noticed this spring, were a neglect to make the usual arrangements for planting corn ; and a simultaneous removal of their effects to their forts and hiding-places. Some friendly Nonotuck squaws gave significant hints to certain exposed families at North- ampton.
Our Northfield people lived in less direct contact with the natives, and appear not to have been alarmed, nor to have taken any unusual precautions. And the spring wore on, and summer came, and the settlers were not molested.
The first act of war in this neighborhood, was the destruction of Brookfield on the second of August.
This unexpected outbreak aroused and alarmed the authorities and the people. Companies of soldiers under Captains Lothrop and Beers were sent up by the Council at Boston, and reached Brookfield August 7. The Council of Connecticut sent up Capt. Thomas Watts of Hartford with 40 dragoons. Lieut. Thomas Cooper of Springfield with 27 mounted troops and 10 Springfield Indians, joined Capt. Watts, and all marched to Brookfield, reaching that place the 7th. This force moved up to Wenimisset on the 8th, (Philip arrived there three days earlier) " but found no Indians." The Springfield company under Lieut. Cooper, went several miles further to the north, but discovering no tracks of Indians, returned home on the Ioth. Captains Lothrop and Beers made their head-quarters at Brook- field. A company of 30 Indians under Joshua the son of Uncas, and another company of 30 Indians from near Hartford, came up, and ranged the woods ; but to no purpose. The hostile savages were no where to be found.
As a matter of precaution, at the breaking out of hostilities, a squad of 20 soldiers was sent by Major Pynchon to garrison North- field, who were put under command of Lieut. Samuel Wright.
During the interval between the 10th and 21st of August, our troops stationed at Brookfield and Hadley scoured the country about Swift river, and went up the Connecticut as far as Deerfield, where Capt. Watts left a small guard.
The ill-success of the troops in tracking the savages, shows either inexperience, or the treachery of their Indian guides ; and the small guard left at the exposed frontier towns, shows that the real peril
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of the situation was not fully comprehended." Nor is this surprising. The River Indians had never complained of wrongs received from the English, and our people had no reason to suspect injury from them. Nor was any motive apparent for the transfer of King Philip's quarrel to this remote valley.
But the Northfield settlers began to realize the insecurity of their position. The news of the onset at Brookfield, and the unsuccess- ful scouting, and the sending of a guard of soldiers for their protection, all betokened evil, and gave cause for anxiety. And the enemy con- trived about this date, to surround and drive off their flock of sheep. In this emergency, about August 19, Joseph Dickinson went down to Hadley, to consult with their friends, and, as appears, to urge either the sending of additional troops, or the bringing off of the in- habitants. The sudden turn of affairs kept him in Hadley, and pre- vented any decision for 10 or 12 days, when, returning, as he supposed, with succor, he met his death on Beers's plain.
The following letter of Major Pynchon to the Connecticut coun- cil furnishes a clear picture of affairs at this juncture :
Springfield Aug. 22, 1675.
In ye night a Poft was fent me from Hadley, that o' forces are returned, Capt. Watts thither, and the Bay forces to Quaboag. Nothing done but about 50 wigwams they found empty which they burnt. They write from Hadley they expect nothing but ye enemy to infult and fall upon y" remote towns; that they are in great fear; a guard of 20 left at Squakeak is too weak ; fome of your foldiers left at Pacomfuck Capt. Watts fpeaks of calling off, wel troubles yin greatly : Sufpect o" Indians yt went out to be fearful or falfe or both; fay y yº fheep at Squakeake are driven away fince ye foldiers were there ; Sufpect ye enemy to be between Hadley and Squakeak at Paquayag, about 10 miles from the Great River. I am fending to Capt. Watts to ftay with his forces there : I would gladly you would allow it and give further order about it, as y' they may make difcovery for yo enemy at ye place forenamed.
Yrs in yº Lord Jefus
JOHN PYNCHON
P. S. Momonto thinks ye Indian enemy may be in a Swamp called Mo- mattanick, about 3 miles off Paquayag, between Hadley and Squakeak : it is pity but they fhould be difrefted; and y' Indians will be ye moft likely to do fomething. 2
1 " Partly by the treachery of some of the Indians that came to their assistance, that scemed to favor the English but rather acted in behalf of the enemy, and partly by the subtilties of the enemies themselves, who could easily by their scouts discover the approach of our soldiers, and by the nimbleness of their feet escape them, our soldiers could never meet with any of them."- Hubbard.
1 Conn. Col. Records, 11, 535.
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History of Northfield.
The Nonotucks, whose principal fort was on the river bank be- tween Northampton and Hatfield, had taken no active part with the Nipnets in the burning of Brookfield, but had volunteered to join the English in their scouting expedition to the northward of that place ; yet they were in evident sympathy with their brethren. In a letter sent to the Connecticut council, Rev. Mr. Stoddard says : " When . they were with our army near Potetipaug, they said they must not fight against their mothers, brothers and cousins (for Quaboag In- dians are related to them). And after our men were killed at Brook- field, they made eleven triumphant shouts, according to the number of our men killed, as their manner is when they have slain their ene- mies. And their conduct, while with the scouting party, before alluded to, led Joshua to remark that 'our Indians made fools of the English.'""
" The Hadley Indians offered themselves to fight against Philip ; but the Mohegans that came from Hartford told the English plainly that no good would be done while that company went along with them, for they would always give some shout when they came near the enemy as a warning to them to look out for themselves. * * The older ones among their sachems seemed loath to engage against the English."?
This tribe concentrated at their fort below Hatfield, just before the English troops under Captains Watts, Lothrop and Beers con- centrated at Hadley on the 23d of August. At a council of war, held this day, it was determined to disarm these Indians ; but on the night of the 24th, before the plan was carried into effect, they left the fort in a body, and went to the north. It is said that before leaving, the young warriors killed an old sachem, because he refused to join in their hostile scheme. These Indians were pursued, early the next morning, by Captains Lothrop and Beers, with a hundred men ; and a severe battle was fought in a swamp, just south of Mount Wequomps, in the present town of Whately. The clan then joined the Pacomptocks of Deerfield.
From Pynchon's letter, and other sources of evidence it is tolerably certain that the main body of the Squakheags, with some of the Qua- boags, and one or more Natick Indians were in camp at or near Paquayag. This was a convenient rendezvous and hiding-place. Philip himself may have been with them, though the probabilities are that he had returned to the strong-hold near Wachuset. He was too cunning to expose himself to danger, at this stage of his plans ; and he had not a sufficient force, devoted to his interests, to risk a general
I Copied from Judd's Hadley.
2 Drake's Hubbard, 1, 108.
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battle. Indeed his army, at this date, was insignificant. His name was rather a terror to the whites, than a tower of strength to the red men.
During the week succeeding the Swamp fight in Whately, the Indians were not seen at any point ; but they were preparing to strike an effectual blow at the two frontier villages. Sept. I, the Pacomp- tocks, augmented by the Nonotucks, suddenly fell upon Deerfield, which then had but a small guard, shot one soldier of the garrison (James Eggleston) and fired most of the exposed buildings.
The next morning, Sept. 2, the band of savages that had been lying in wait near Miller's river, appeared in force at Squakheag. They had just received the large reinforcement of a war party of Nashaways, headed by Sagamore Sam and One-eyed John, the latter of whom was probably the leading spirit in this attack on our village, and the assault on Capt. Beers two days later.
It was the season for drying their flax ; and ignorant of what had happened the day before to their neighbors at Deerfield, our people went about their work as usual on that morning. Both the soldiers and settlers appear to have been scattered in the meadows and home- lots, when the assault was made. According to the Rev. Mr. Hub- bard, " some were killed in their houses, others as they were coming out of the meadows ; the rest, men, women and children, fled to their fort, unable to sally out and repel the enemy. The savages kept around them, killed many of their cattle, destroyed their grain (wheat which was harvested and in the stook), burnt up the houses that were outside the stockade, and laid all waste." This affair took place Thursday Sept. 2, 1675.
The number of whites officially reported as killed, was eight, viz : Sergt. Samuel Wright, aged about 45, Ebenezer fanes, aged 16, and Jonathan Fanes, 14, sons of Elder William Janes (these three belonged to Squakheag), Ebenezer Parsons, aged 20, son of Joseph of North- ampton, John Peck of Hadley, Nathaniel Curtis of Northampton, Thomas Scott and Benjamin Dunwich, residence unknown. Only one of the Indians was reported killed.
Here then were these 16 families crowded within the small stock- ade, and the bodies of their friends lying unburied where they fell, and the savage foe lurking in the adjacent thickets and ravines. The terror of these mothers and little children, and the anxiety of these fathers can hardly be exaggerated. And how are they to expect relief ? To stay in the fort is probable death ; to leave it is certain death !
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History of Northfield.
The news of the attack by the Indians on Deerfield, on the Ist, would certainly reach head-quarters at Hadley on the day of its occur- rence ; and the exposed condition of Squakheag would necessarily occasion solicitude. It appears that an immediate consultation was held, and the officers in command at Hadley determined to send up an expedition " to fetch off the garrison and people," instead of trying to hold the place. Sept. 2d, while the Indians were slaying and burning - Capt. Beers was preparing to go to the relief of the de- voted village. Richard Montague was impressed to bake a supply of bread, and his horse was taken for the use of a trooper. The oxen and cart of Wm. Markham, and his son for a driver were also im- pressed for the service." It took the day to get ready. The next morning, Friday Sept. 3, the onset of the Indians the day before being still unknown, Capt. Beers set forth with 36 mounted men and one ox team on his march of 30 miles up the river. It was a long day's work, especially for the oxen ; and he halted, and camped for the night " 3 miles below the town " (Stoddard's letter). It is pro- bable that the camp was near Four-mile brook.
Leaving the horses here with a guard, the Captain with his main body and the team with stores, started on Saturday morning, the 4th, for the village. This movement of going on foot, would indicate that he had some expectation of meeting the enemy, and his horses would be a disadvantage, according to the military tactics of the time. But then why did he, with his long experience in Indian warfare, march without a van-guard and flankers ? He knew that the savages were on the war-path - though he did not know of their assault on our people. He could hardly have been mistaken as to the character of the ground over which he was to pass, for one of the settlers (Joseph Dickinson) was in his company, and acting as a guide. It is most likely that his familiarity with danger may have made him reckless !
1 Whereas your Petitioner had his team (viz. a yoke of oxen) and his son, which were the chief of maintenance for his family pressed for ye country's service to bring off ye garri- son at Squakheag, where his son and cattle were lost, and that which is allowed him for his oxen is about half what they cost him and were then valuable for ; which also he hath not received, but only a part of it hath been defalked in rates, whereby his family hath been re- duced to great suffering and straights - His humble request is, that if it may be, he may receive what is now due that he stands in such need of; or if that cannot be obtained, that at least you would favor him (being now in his 60th year) with a release from training and watching and warding, which may be some help to him. And your Petr shall always pray for blessings on you from on high, and remain.
Your servt and suppliant WILLIAM MARKHAM.
Hadley Oct. 15, 1681.
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He appears to have kept up on the high plain, till he came in sight of the little brook now known as Saw-mill brook. The ravine through which the stream ran was now covered (it being before the annual burning), with a rank growth of grass and ferns, and the leaves were thick on the young trees. Here he fell into an ambuscade. The brook was on his right, and he attempted to cross it where a depression in the plain made a passable fordway, in order to reach the hard land south and west of Dry swamp, and so come into the village near where is now the South road to Warwick. This was the common route of travel at the time ; and the Indians knew that, as matter of course, he would take it, and made their plans accord- ingly. Concealed in front, and behind the steep bank below the crossing-place, on his right, they fired upon the carelessly advancing column just as the head was passing the brook, when it would be exposed for its entire length.1
It is evident that Capt. Beers was taken completely at unawares ; and his men were thrown into confusion. But a part of them quickly rallied, and with their commander fought bravely - " hotly disputing the ground," as Stoddard has it. The main stand appears to have been made towards the south end of the plain (now Beers's plain), where is a slight rise of land. But the odds was too great against him.^ Deducting the guard left with the horses, and the prisoners who were probably taken in the confusion of the first onset, and the killed, the captain must have been left almost alone. He retreated up the rising ground about { of a mile, till he came to a narrow ravine on the southerly spur of the hill (now Beers's hill). This ravine was about 10 rods in length, 35 feet wide, and 10 feet deep. It afforded but a slight cover ; but he accepted it in place of a better. It is a tradition, that when he reached this spot, he gave the order for "each man to look out for himself." He chose to stand and fight : and here he fell ; and here he was buried.3
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